The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 94549 sells for about $2,000,000, or $912 per square foot.
Prices are down 8.1% from a year ago, which gives buyers more room to negotiate. Homes take about 18 days to sell, which is fast. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $2,968 a month.
ZIP 94549 — Lafayette
The Lafayette housing market remains highly competitive with high price points, though it has seen a slight year-over-year cooling in median prices. Demand remains robust, supported by the area's excellent school districts and proximity to major employment hubs. Inventory remains tight, keeping the market active despite broader economic shifts.
This ZIP is ideal for affluent families and professionals seeking high-quality schools, a suburban lifestyle, and convenient transit access to major Bay Area employment centers.
Median prices moved down 8.1% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 18 days on market with 0.0 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
0% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 100% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 4.6% · poverty 3.0% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.9%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
in-migration and out-migration balanced
ZCTA 94549, Contra Costa County, CA
Lafayette generally experiences low crime rates compared to regional averages in the San Francisco Bay Area, with property crime being the primary concern.
The city is served by the highly-rated Acalanes Union High School District and Lafayette School District, which are consistently ranked among the best in California.
The area faces moderate wildfire risk due to its hilly, wooded terrain and is subject to standard California seismic and insurance-climate considerations.
Economic momentum is driven by its proximity to major Bay Area employment hubs and a high concentration of residents working in professional, scientific, and technical services.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (California) — Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act Special Parcel Tax Assessment: Levies an annual direct, non-ad valorem special tax directly on the parcel's secured property tax bill to fund designated community infrastructure (e.g., roads, sewer facilities, school facilities, emergency services) and repay municipal debt bonds. State (California) — California Homeowners' Property Tax Exemption: Reduces the taxable assessed value of the qualifying owner-occupied principal residence by $7,000 against the county assessment roll, generating a direct tax savings of approximately $70 annually (computed as $7,000 × 1% base rate). State (California) — California Proposition 13 Ad Valorem Real Property Tax: Establishes a base ad valorem tax rate capped at 1.0% of assessed value plus voter-approved local indebtedness and direct assessments (typically resulting in an effective tax rate of 1.1% to 1.25%).
Residents benefit from the Lafayette BART station, providing direct transit access to Oakland and San Francisco, while highway access is primarily via State Route 24.
The area features extensive outdoor amenities including the Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail, Lafayette Reservoir, and numerous community parks and local shopping districts.
The rental market is characterized by high demand and limited inventory, with median rents reflecting the affluent nature of the community.
The local economy is largely residential, with a workforce heavily integrated into the broader San Francisco Bay Area technology and professional services sectors.
The city is well-connected via the BART rapid transit system and State Route 24, facilitating commutes to downtown Oakland and San Francisco.
Development is primarily focused on infill projects and downtown revitalization efforts consistent with the city's general plan.
The Contra Costa County Assessor manages property valuations in accordance with California state law and Proposition 13.
Parcels are subject to various special districts including school districts, the Contra Costa Water District, and regional park districts.
Property insurance premiums in the area are influenced by regional wildfire risk assessments and state-wide market conditions.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ZCTA-level tables.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
A major regional recreation area offering hiking, fishing, and boating.
A popular paved trail for walking, running, and cycling connecting local communities.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.